Laundry classifying table



Nov. 1l, 1941.` E. F. CONS ET AL LAUNDRY CLASSIFYING TABLE Filed oct.' 2, 1939 Nov. 11,1941. E. Ff CONS Em 2,262,575

LAUNDRY CLASSIFYING TABLE Filed 01st.A 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheel'l 2 INVENTORS, //Wef' 004.6, C/a/'e/fce fz iQ/7.5'.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 11, 1941. E. F. coNs ETAL 2,262,575

LAUNDRY CLASSIFYING TABLE Filed Oct. 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a J T1-Eililllllllllllllllllllllll Patented Nov. 11, 1941 ALAUNDRY CLAS SIFYING TABLE Elmer'F. Cons and Clarence F. Cons, lKansas City, Mo.

ApplicationOctober 2, 1939, Serial No.' 297,444

11 Claims.

-This invention relates to improvements lin laundry classifying tables and particularly to a table of this character wherein certain parts are retractable to facilitate convenient and rapid classification.

It has become common practicewith the various laundries to wash the' soiled clothes in nets. These nets comprise an open-end bag made of a strong cotton mesh material which -will permit a free movement of the wash water to .and fromthe bag. The average bundle of clothes received from the customers is composed of pieces of different colors, materials: and articles that require special treatment, and it is therefore necessary to classify the bundles so that similar pieces of clothing are placed rin the same net. Inv most instances, it is found expedient to divide the original bundle into several lots to be placed in different nets for the washing operation. Each net of thisparticular bundle may now be washed with corresponding articles of other bundles, and since all `the nets of a certain bundle contain llike identification means, they can be reassembled, after the washing and other necessary operations, for delivery.

The speed and accuracy of this classification operation, that isthe separation of the `clothing of the bundle into the various net/lots,` depends toa large degree upon the relation of various parts of the table to the operator lduring .the classifying operation. It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a laundry classifying table whereinthe bundle supporting platform is movable to and from the operative position relative to the series of bins.

`Another object of vthe invention is the provision of a laundry classifying table comprising a frame-work having a substantially U-shaped top on which is mounted a series of bins and a retractable platform adapted to be moved to and from a position in the bight, formed by the U-shaped top, whereby the laundry bundle may be supported therein, also lwhen the platform is retracted the operator may standtherein during4 the placing of the contents of the various bins in their respective net bags.

A further object -of this invention is the provision of a side wall hingedly carried by the bundle supporting platform to form a front wall for the bundle compartment and to be retracted with the platform.

Other objects are economyandsimplicity of construction; ease and .speed` of operatiomandv ,55 is secured thereto. by. means `of` screws 38. "Each adjustability of the parts to accommodate the various types of bundles of clothing.

Reference will now be'had to the drawings wherein:

Figure 1,is a plan view, partly broken away, of a laundryclassifying table embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, with parts broken away, of the table shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical central section taken on line III- III of Figl.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line IV-IV of Fig; 3.

Fig. 5 `is an enlarged fragmentary sectional ,view taken on line V-V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 isa sectional view taken on line VI-VI of'Fg. 5.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional View of the rear end of one of thepartitions together with its associated parts.

Fig. 8 isa fragmentary 'view of the front portion of one of the. partitions with itsassociated parts.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the Wall member and certainv associated parts; and,

Fig. 10 is a sideelevation of the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Throughout the" several views, like reference characters designate similar parts and the numeral I ll is a frame supporting a table top I2. Frame I0 is preferably made of fabricated steel and consists of front legs I4 and rear legsvIG, joined together adjacent their lower extremities by horizontal lbars I8 and 20, and at their top extremities by horizontally disposed members 22 and 26. Extendingfrom the front legs I4 to rear legs I6 intermediate cross members v2l) and 26, is a pair of spaced apart braces 28 which carries a U-shaped angle iron 30.

Table top I2 is substantially U-shaped, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and `serves as a bottom fortheseries of bins 32. The rear ends of the bins are formed by the vertically disposed arcuate sheet 33 carried by table top I2, and the side walls are produced by the radially disposed partition members 34, which are adapted to be adjusted transversely to vary the relative size of the various bins. It will be noted that the bins are open at the front to receive the clothing, as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 3, 7 and 8, it is apparent that the partition 34 isy provided onits rear4 and bottom sideswitha `metal edging 36, which As clearly shown in Fig. 1, there is a series of holes 46 and a series of holes 54, also openings 50 in sheet 33 are in a uniform series. ings 50 and holes 46 and 54 are so related that.

the partitions may be easily and quickly adjusted to any desired position to vary the size of the various bins. When classifying the ordinary. wash bundle, it is desirable to have some small bins and some larger bins to accommodate the different size lots for the various nets.'. n

An angle iron 58 securedv tothe lower. side of top I2 extends around the inner` arcuate .edge thereof and is positioned directly above 'angle iron 30. An arcuate plate 60 joins together angles 30 and 58 to form a wall for the bundle receiving compartment 62. The outer edge of top I2 is provided with a reinforcing angle iron 64 which also serves as an anchoring means for sheet 33. Bracket 66 secured to member 26 and angle iron serves to support the parts. against Weaving.

The extended forward portion 68'of table top I2, serves as a desk forthe operator, and it is apparentthat drawers, bins, etc., might be included beneath this table to receive equipment, etc., incident to the carrying on the classification operation.

A shelf 10 supported 0n bracket 12 carried by leg I4 may be used to support the net bag during its closing and tagging operation. Due to the shape of top |2 and frame I0, a horizontally dis-` posed bight 13 is formed throughout the verticaL,

height of the table. This bight is normally open to the front of the table and' is adapted to be closed by means, hereinafter described.

The bundle receiving compartment 62 .pro` vided with a bundle supporting platform .or bot` tom 14 that isV movable to and from the operative position. This platform is vpositioned below the plane of top I2 so that the bundle of clothes resting thereonwill not interfere with the operators free access to the various bins during the classification operation. l

Platform 14 is supported for oscillatory movement on a pair of arms 16 which are pivotally` mounted intermediate their ends at 15 4to frame bars 20 and to platform 14, by means of pins 11,

which is secured to bracket 18, which in turn is aixed to the underside of the platform adjacentv its rear portion. The forward portion of the platform is provided at its opposite edges with bracket 80 which carries a roller 82 adapted to engage the channel track 84 which is securely mounted on frame I0. l spring 86 is secured by itsone end to rear leg A weight compensating I6 and at its other end to the lower end of arm 16 through holes 88. These holes are spaced at different distances from the pivotal point 15 of i arm 16 so that by attaching the spring in different holes, the tension may be varied to obtain i 3 proper balancing of the particular platform.

'I'he sectional view (Fig. 4) best shows the pivotal connection of arm 16 `with .bar 20.v lA thiml l ble formed by sleeve 90 ismounted in an opening 94 formed through arm 16.

' ets |08, carrying guide rollers ||0, adapted to engage track 84 and extend into the arcuate portion |02 thereof. An opening I|2 formed through wall member |06 produces a hand-grip by means of which the platform and side wall may be manually moved to the desired position.

Referring to Fig. 3, solid lines, the platform 14 and side wall. |06 are shown' in the positionin the bight to receive a bundle of clothes to'be sorted.. The dotted lines indicatev the position of these parts when the platform is retracted to the inoperative position. I

Across member I I4 joining the rear legs I6 carries a resilient bumper||6 which stops the downward movement of the platform. It will be noted that the handsgrip of wall member |06, exextends into the bight when the parts are retracted so that it is accessible to the operator to again move the parts to the operative position.

The platform and wall member are so constructed and mounted thatthey will automatically retain their position when in the operative and inoperative positions.

Astop I|8 carried by wall member |06, limits the angled relation between platform 14 and wall member |06.

In the operation of this machine, the operator first moves the platform 14 and side wall |06 to the raised position and places a bundle of soiled clothing thereon.' `Each article of the bundle is placed in its proper bin-the operator then engages the hand-grip and moves the parts to the retracted position, shown in dotted lines of Fig. 3. .The operator enters the bight, places a net bag over two of the adjacent pins 42, and drags the contents of the bin therebetween into the net. This operation is repeated until the contents of all the bins are properly positioned in their respective nets. Each net is closed and tagged for identification. They are now ready for the wash, and when the washing is completed, they are reassembled by referring to the identifying tags,

for delivery to the customer.

When the operator is standing in the bight, he has ready access to all thevbins and can View alll portions of each bin, thus making it possible to detect any articles left therein. y

In actual practice, the use of this table has greatly increased the speed of classifying andA vertically through said table ;A a series of bins cary ried on said frame about said bight; and a bundle supporting platform adapted to be moved to and from a position in said bight to permit access of the operator to said bight.

2. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a horizontally disposed bight formed therein; a series of open bins carried by said frame about said bight; and a bundle supporting platform carried at its rear end by a pair of spaced apart arms pivoted to said frame and at its front end by a pair of rollers engaging tracks secured to said frame whereby it is movable to and from a position in said bight.

3. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame including a top member having a bight formed in one side portion thereof; a series of bins formed about said bight on said top member; a platform movably carried by said frame whereby it is movable to and from a horizontal position in said bight to permit access of the operator to said bight.

4. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a top member with a bight formed in one of its side portions; partitions adjustably carried by said frame to form open bins of predetermined size at the top portion of said frame; a movable bundle carrying platform carried by said frame, movable to and from a position in said bight.

5. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a bight formed therein; a series of bins carried by said frame about said bight; stationary tracks carried by said frame; arms pivoted to said frame; and a platform supported at its rear portion by said arms and having rollers adjacent its front portion to operatively engage said stationary tracks whereby it is movable to and from a position in said bight.

6. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a bight formed therein; a series of bins carried by said frame about said bight; a platform supported at its rear portion by arms pivoted to said frame and its front; portion by rollers mounted in stationary tracks whereby it is movable to and from a position in said bight; and a wall member hinged to said platform and supported at its free edge by rollers mounted in said track.

7. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a horizontally disposed bight formed therein; a series of radially disposed bins carried by said frame about said bight; stationary tracks carried by said frame; arms pivoted to said frame; and a platform having rollers at its front portion to operatively engage said stationaryy tracks and being connected to the free ends of said pivoted arms whereby said platform is movable to and from a position in said bight.

8. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a bight formed therein; a bundle supporting platform carried by said frame adapted to be moved to and from a position in said bight; and a side Wall hinged to the front edge of said platform and slidably carried in guide tracks for movement to and from the operative position as said platform is moved.

9. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a bight in one of its edge portions and having a series of bins; a bundle supporting platform rotatably carried adjacent its rear portion by a pair of arms pivoted below said platform to said frame and pivoted at its front portion by means of trunnions mounted in stationary tracks carried by said frame whereby said platform is movable to and from a position in said bight and a side wall pivoted to said platform and slidably mounted in said stationary track.

10. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a horizontal bight extending throughout its vertical height, a platform slidably mounted at its front portion in stationary tracks carried by said frame and rotatably mounted adjacent its rear edge on oscillatable arms pivotally carried by said frame whereby said platform is movable to and from a position in said bight; and resilient means operable to maintain said platform in the operative position in said bight.

11. A laundry classifying table comprising a frame having a bight in one of its edge portions and having a series of bins at its top portion, positioned above and about said bight; a platform rotatably and slidably carried adjacent its front portion by a pair of stationary tracks and rotatably mounted adjacent its rear portion on a pair of arms pivoted to said frame for movement to and from a position in said bight whereby the operator may have access to said bight.

ELMER F. CONS. CLARENCE F. CONS. 

